PURRFECT FOR CATS!

Spot-kick joy for Johnson as QPR suffer a shocker

SUNDERLAND claimed their first spot in the League Cup quarter-finals since 2014 as QPR suffered a shootout shocker.

Lee Johnson’s League One side fought out a stubborn goalless draw over 90 minutes in west London – but then were far more deadly from the spot against their Championship opponents.

Aiden Mcgeady, Ross Stewart and Alex Pritchard were on the mark from the spot.

But for Mark Warburton’s side, Charlie Austin saw his effort saved – and Ilias Chair and Yoann Barbet both blazed high and wide as the Black Cats celebrated (above).

Rangers, seventh in the Championship, had not been in the quarter-finals of the League Cup since 1989. Sunderland were last there in 2014, when they got to the final – but that was the only time in the last 20 years.

It was the League One side that opened brightest, as Leon Dajaku got away on the left and forced a save out of keeper Seny Dieng with a low shot.

Then Dan Neil raced right through the middle of the Rangers defence as no tackles came in, but once again his low shot was stopped by Dieng. Warburton’s side, though, gradually fought their way back into the game. Sunderland’s No.2 keeper Lee Burge pulled off a fine low save from Barbet’s shot.

Then Lyndon Dykes saw his effort saved, before Osman Kakay laid the ball back, and Rangers keyman Ilias Chair fired his drive an inch wide.

Rangers were on top now, and when Andre Gray found Dykes, Burge tipped his shot round the post. But they had a major escape when Frederik Alves almost sliced the ball into his own net from Kakay’s cross.

On the stroke of half time, Gray should have given the Londoners the lead when he picked up the ball 12 yards out but his shot was too close to Burge.

The hosts had only lost once at the Kiyan Prince Foundation

Stadium before last night but Sunderland proved stubborn opposition. Johnson’s side were playing some fluent football. But for both sides, too often the final ball was going astray.

Rangers were still creating the better chances though, and when Kakay beat his man to cross, substitute Austin, in acres of space, fired the ball first time over the top.

But the Londoners were still vulnerable on the break, and when Dajaku’s cross fizzed across the face of the Rangers goal, no one was able to get a touch for the Black Cats and then Carl Winchester drove just wide.

Late on, Austin nodded in from point-blank range after Albert Adomah’s shot was deflected – but his effort was ruled out for offside. But then Mcgeady broke away for Sunderland – and Dieng was forced to pull off a fine save.